Gasoline engine fuel vaporizer



y 1935 D. Y. RIICKABAUGH 2,000,498

GASOLINE ENGINE FUEL .VAPORIZER Filed 001:. 27, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l Judi 1. EZWa/Z y 1935- D. Y. RICKABAUGH 2,000,493

GASOLINE ENGINE FUEL VAPORIZER Filed Oct. 2'7, 1932 3 SheetsSheet 3 Invenior 2714 4 yak/50501 Patented May 7, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to charge forming devices, for internal combustion engines.

One of the objects of the invention is to construct a charge forming device that insures a combustible vapor entering the internal combustion engine which is in a highly vaporized state and eliminating the passage of gasoline into the crank case thereby preventing gasoline from mixing with and thinning the lubricating oil. With the use of the device of this invention, it will be unnecessary to use a carbureter with an internal combustion engine and there will be a great saving in the quantityof gasoline ordinarily used.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of the character referred to that is strong, compact and durable, thoroughly reliable for its intended purpose, that may be easily assembled or disassembled for the purpose of cleaning, that finds particular use on stationary internal combustion engines, internal combustion engines for tractors, automobile trucks and automobile vehicles, and that is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With the'foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combination, construction and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, where like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the charge forming device in accordance with the present invention, assembled on an internal combustionengine, which engine is adapted for installation in an automobile.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevati'on of the charge forming device.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the vaporizing tank.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the vaporizing tank.

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view in detail taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 2 looking forwardly.

Figure 6 is a detailed longitudinal vertical section through the vaporizing tank taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is an axial detailed vertical section through the header tube.

Figure 8 is a plan view, partly in section of the priming nozzle removed from the vaporizing tank.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the vaporizing tank showing the thermostat.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the mixing bowl.

Figure 11 is a detailed vertical longitudinal section through the mixing bowl.

Figure 12 is a vertical section of the fuel su ply pipe leading from the mixing bowl to the intake manifold taken substantially on line lZ-l 2 of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating the joint between the air and fuel valve shafts on the mixing bowl.

The charge forming apparatus illustrated.

without'departing from the spirit of the inven- I atmosphere with the exception of the aerating tubes to be hereinafter-described. In the top' wall of vaporizing tank A there is mounted by means of bolts IS a conventional vacuum tank- I6 through which is supplied the fuel, preferably gasoline, for the vaporizing tank A. The vacuum 'tank I6 controls the fuel level on the vaporizing tanks. It is pointed out that the vacuuin't'ank l6 obtains the supply of fuel from the fuel storage tank that is customarily found on an automobile. Where the fuel storage tank is supported above the vaporizing tank A, in which event gasoline may flow by gravity into the vaporizing tank, a float valve (not shown) may be used to regulate the level of gasoline in the vaporizing tank. It has been found that the apparatus of this invention operates very eiiiciently when the vaporizing tank is maintained two thirds full of gasoline as indicated by the dotted line 25 in Figure 6. Connected with the vacuum tank I 6 is the customary pipe ll leading to the fuel storage tank on the automobile, the suction pipe I8 connected with the intake manifold and the usual vent pipe I9.

The vaporizing tank A is supported rearwardly of the engine so that the bottom thereof will be in proximity to the line of the exhaust pipe 20 leading from the conventional internal combustion engine B. Adjacent the bottom of vaporizing tank A, and below the fuel level there are a pair of closed tubes 2| that extend horizontally through the tank and form heating chambers 22.

-F'orwardly of the position of vaporizing tank A ,Similar tubes 4| extend pendent lateral branches 23 that function as by-pass conductors for the exhaust gases and these lateral branches 23 extend through the heating chambers 22 in spaced relation to the tubes 2|. The by-pass branches 23 are maintained in spaced relation to the tubes 2| by the mica washers 24 at each end of the vaporizing tank.

Below the fuel level indicated by dotted line 25 in Figure 6, there is mounted by means of bolts 21, a shell '26 closed at its inner end. In the shell is mounted a conventional thermostat 28 that is connected to the heat valve regulating rod 23 which extends outwardly of the shell. At a point where the exhaust pipe joins with the lateral branches is journalled the valve shaft 30 that carries an angular valve, one leg 3| of which controls the flow of heat through the branches 23, while the other leg 32 thereof controls the exhaust passage 20. The outer end of the rod 29 is connected to the arm 33 on valve shaft 30. It will be seen that when leg 3| is in the substantially vertical position the leg 32 is substantially horizontal, in which position heat is cut off the .branches 23 and by-passed through exhaust pipe 28. When leg 3| is in horizontal position the leg 32 is disposed across the exhaust pipe 20 thereby permitting heat to pass through branches 23 and heat the fuel in the vaporizing tank A. Thermostat 28 is arranged to operate the angle valve at the desired temperatures. It will thus be seen that when the temperature inside the vaporizing tank A increases to the most e'flicient vaporizing point, thermostat 28 will cause the heat regulating valve to cut oif the heat, whereas when the fuel in vaporizing tank A is cold, the heat will be passed through the vaporizing tank.

To create an increased vapor in vaporizing tank A when starting the internal combustion engine,

there extends in the tank near the bottom thereof a small brass pipe 34 on the confined end of whichare four or more air injecting tubes 35. The inner end of pipe 34 and the fingers 35 are herein designated as the priming nozzle and is shown-particularly in Figure 8 of the drawings. The pipe 34 is connected at its outer end to a conventional air pump reach of the operator and as illustrated is located on the dashboard 35 of an automobile. By means of the priming nozzle the operator may force air into the fuel in the vaporizing tank to agitate and create increased vaporization when starting the engine. 'It will be seen that the priming nozzle is located in the vaporizing tank below the fuel level 25. Clean out plugs 62 are mounted in the bottom of vaporizing tank A.

Mounted across the outside of vaporizing tank 'A is an enlarged tube 31 that furnishes a header by which air is introduced into vaporizing tank A. The opposite ends of header tube 31 are open and mounted adjacent the open ends of the tube are upright foraminous plates 38 .that act as screen filters. Rising above tube 31 is an auxiliary neck 88, also having a screen 38 therein, which communicates with the interior of the header tube 31 so that air may be supplied in the event either end of the header tube is required to be closed to accommodate details of assembly on an internal combustion engine. When not in use this neck 38 is closed by screw cap 38'. Extending from the bottom of header tube 31 are a plurality of perpendicular small tubes 48 that extend into vaporizing tank A and terminate adjacent the bottom of the tank. laterally from header which is operated by 35 mounted within easy tube 31 and project into vaporizing tank A near the rear thereof. The inner ends of the plurality of tubes 48 and 4| terminate adjacent the bottom of vaporizing tank and below the level of the fuel.

One end of suction pipe 43 is secured to the top wall of vaporizing tank A, communicates with the interior thereof and terminates above the fuel level 25. The suction pipe 43 in the form shown is of right angular configuration. The other end of suction pipe 43 is formed with a flange 43 that bolts to one side of an elongated mixing bowl C. Adjacent the point where suction pipe 43 communicates with the mixing bowl there is mounted a perpendicular metal screen 44 which prevents backfire in the mixing bowl from entering the vaporizing tank A. The suction pipe 43 forms a continuous passage from the interior of the mixing bowl to the interior of the vaporizing tank A. On the opposite side wall of the mixing bowl C there is mounted an air inlet pipe 45 which permits air to be passed inwardly into the interior of the mixing bowl. Adjacent the outer projecting end of inlet pipe 45 is mounted the valve 46 having an arm connected with a link 41, which link extends to and is movably mounted on the dashboard 38 or to a convenient place on a stationary engine so that the valve 46 can be closed like a choke valve when starting the engine. On the end of the pipe 45 confined within the mixing bowl C is mounted a butterfly valve 48, which is operated by an arm 48 on the outside of the mixing bowl. There is a similar butterfly valve 50 mounted on the end of suction pipe 43 that is confined in the mixing bowl a slotted arm 5|. Butterfly valve arm 49 is adjustably connected to butterfly valve arm -5| by the adjusting rod 52, one end of which is pivoted by the ball joint 53 to the arm 49. The other end of adjusting rod 52 is threaded to accommodate spaced lock nuts 54 between which is secured the metal block 55 which has a ball knuckle joint connection 56 with the slotted arm 5|. Connected with the free end of the slotted arm 5| is a rod 51 which leads to the foot accelerator in the case of an automobile, or the throttle where the invention is applied to a stationary engine. By lengthening or shortening the adjusting rod 52, the valves 48 and 50 may be regulated to different angular positions with respect to each other so as to control simultaneously the amount of vapor and air entering into the mixing bowl C. It has been found that the most efiicient operation of an engine occurs when there is approximately two thirds gasoline vapor and one-third fresh air allowed to enter the mixing bowl C. When the valves 48 and 50 have been regulated to give the proper proportion of gasoline vapor and air through the instrumentality of adjusting rod 52 these valves will operate in unison when the throttle rod 51 is moved.

The mixing bowl C is closed on all sides with exception of the air inlet pipe 45. Depending from the top of the mixing bowl is an outlet tube 53a that terminates adjacent to the bottom of the bowl, and in alignment with the tube 58a is a conductor pipe 58 that is secured at one end to the top of the mixing bowl through the medium of a flanged collar 59. The outer end of the outlet conductor pipe 58 is connected with the intake manifold 58 of the internal combustion engine B. Mounted in the pipe 58 between the mixing bowl and the place where the said pipe enters the intake manifold 58' is a valve 60 which is held down by a very light spring 6|. Should the engine reverse, causing a back pressure in the pipe 58, this valve 60 will open outwardly and operate to relieve the back pressure.

In actual operation, the suction created through the outlet pipe 58 imparts a suction in vaporizing tank A. This suction causes air to be drawn through the screen in the header tube 31 and down through the plurality of aerating tubes 40 and 4 i This air percolates through the gasoline in vaporizing tank A and stimulates an increased vaporization. With the gasoline in the very finely vaporized state drawn through the suction pipe 43 into the mixing bowl C, the highly vaporized gasoline is drawn through the outlet conductor pipe 58. Since the butterfly valves 48 and 50 have been regulated the proper mixing of the gasoline vapor with the air occurs in the mixing bowl and prior to its entry into the outlet pipe 58. The mixing bowl C may be placed in the same position as the conventional carburetor used on internal combustion engines.

Having described my invention, what I claim 1. In combination, a gasoline vaporizing tank for internal combustion engines formed with horizontal tubes adjacent the bottom thereof, automatically controlled exhaust pipe branches extending through said tubes in spaced relation thereto for heating the gasoline, a header mounted on the tank having at least one screened opening, a plurality of spaced relatively small aerating pipes extending from the header and terminating in the vaporizing tank adjacent the bottom thereof, a mixing bowl adapted for communication with an intake manifold, a suction pipe constituting a passage between the mixing bowl and the vaporizing tank, an air inlet pipe forming a communication with the mixing bowl, and interconnected valves controlling the air inlet communication and the suction passage.

2.' In combination, a gasoline vaporizing tankfor internal combustion-engines formed. with horizontal tubes adjacent the jbottomthereofl; automatically controlled exhaust pipe branches extending through said tubes inspaced relation, thereto for heating the gasoline, a header, mounted on the tankhaving at least one screened opening; a plurality of spaced relatively small aerating pipes extending from the header and terminating in the vaporizing tank adjacent the bottom thereof, a mixing bowl adapted for communication with an intake manifold, a suction pipe constituting a passage between the mixing bowl and the vaporizing tank, an air inlet pipe; forming a communication with the mixing bowl,

interconnected valves controlling the air inlet communication and the suction passage, and a screen in the suction passage to prevent backfire into the vaporizing tank. I

3. In combination, a gasoline vaporizing tank for internal combustion engines formed with horizontal tubes adjacent the bottom thereof, automatically controlled exhaust pipe branches extending through said tubes in spaced relation thereto for heating the gasoline, a header mounted on the tank having at least one screened opening, a plurality of spaced relatively small aerating pipes extending from the header and terminating in the vaporizing tank adjacent the bottom there of, a mixing bowl adapted for communication with an intake manifold, a suction pipe constituting a passage between the mixing bowl and the vaporizing tank. an air inlet pipe forming a communication with the mixing bowl, interconnected valves controlling the air inlet communication and the suction passage, a screen in the suction passage to prevent backfire into the vaporizing tank, and said interconnected valves being adjustable with respect to each other.

4. A gasoline vaporizing reservoir for internal combustion engines comprising a closed tank formed with horizontal tubes adjacent the bottom thereof constitutingheating chambers adapted for receiving branch pipes from the exhaust of an internal combustion engine, a header tube mounted on the top wall of the tank having at least one screened opening, a plurality of relatively small aerating tubes extending from the header and through the top wall of the tankterminating in spaced relation to the bottom of said tank, a suction pipe secured to the top wall of the tank and communicating with the interior thereof adapted for creating a suction under the influence of the intake manifold, and means in the top wall of the tank including an opening and a cover cap adapted for supporting a vacuum tank within the tank.

5. A gasoline vaporizing reservoir for internal combustion engines comprising a closed tank formed with horizontal tubes adjacent the bottom thereof constituting heating chambers adapted for receiving branch pipes from the exhaust of an internal combustion engine, a header tube mounted on the top wall of the tank having at least one screened opening, a plurality of relatively small aerating tubes extending from the header and through the top wall of the tank terminating in spaced relation to the bottom of said tank, a suction pipe secured to the top wall of the tank and communicating with the interior thereof adapted for creating-a suction under the infiuence of the intake manifold, means" in the top wall of the tank including an opening and a cover cap adapted for supportin'ga' vacuum tank within the tank, a thermostat supported within the tank, a control valve for the aforementioned exhaustbranch pipes; and an operating connectionbetween said thermostat and valve .torregulating the flatter.-,}.l-

6. A gasoline. vaporizing reservoirfor, internal combustion f engine comprising. fa, closed tank 1 formed with horizontal-tubes:adjacent the botm"' thereof constituting heatingfchambers adaptdlfo'r receiving, branch pipes from the ex- "ihaust', of an internal"combustionengine, a header i tube mounted on the top wall of-thetank having atleast one screened opening, a plurality of relatively small aerating tubes extending from the header and through the top wall of the tank terminatihg, in spaced. relation to the bottom of'said "tank, a suction pipe secured to the top wall of the tank and communicating with the interior thereof adapted for creating a suction under the infiuence of the intake manifold, means 'in the.

top wall of the tank including an opening and a cover cap adapted for supporting a vacuum tank within the tank, a thermostat supported within the tank, a control valve for the aforementioned exhaust branch pipes, and an operating connection between said thermostat and valve for regulating the latter and means includinga plurality of nozzles in the interior of said tank adapted for injecting air under pressure to create increased initial evaporation of the gasoline for starting the motor.

DUDLEY Y. RICKABAUGH. 

